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Florian
Florian, 276. Antoninianus (Silvered bronze, 22 mm, 4.08 g, 5 h), Rome, July-August 276. IMP C FLORIANVS AVG Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Florian to right. Rev. PROVIDENTIA AVG / XXIA Providentia standing front, head to left, holding baton in her right hand and cornucopiae in her left; at her feet to left, globe. RIC 37 corr. (bust also cuirassed). RIC V online 4213. Venèra 2439-61. Ex. Collection of Regierungsrat Dr. iur. Hans Krähenbühl, privately acquired from Münzen & Medaillen AG, on 13 April 197. Ex. Leu Numismatik Auction 22, lot 362, 10/23/2021.
Florianus, known simply as Florian, was a Roman emperor who ruled for a brief period in 276 CE during the tumultuous third-century crisis. Though his time on the throne lasted only a few months, his rise and fall reflected the instability and factionalism that plagued the Roman Empire during this era.
Florian came to power following the assassination of his half-brother, Emperor Tacitus, inheriting the loyalty of the western Roman legions. Declaring himself emperor, he quickly moved to consolidate power, a challenging task given the empire’s fragile state. His claim, however, was not universally accepted. In the eastern provinces, the legions proclaimed Probus, a capable and ambitious general, as a rival emperor. This set the stage for a confrontation between the two.
Florian initially held the upper hand due to the size of his forces, but geography and military strategy played against him. His campaign against Probus stalled in the harsh and arid conditions of Cilicia, where his troops suffered from disease and supply shortages. Probus, employing tactics that capitalized on his familiarity with the region, avoided direct confrontation and let attrition weaken Florian’s forces.
The stalemate eroded Florian’s support, and dissatisfaction among his troops grew. In August or September of 276 CE, his soldiers, perhaps fearing defeat and preferring to reconcile with Probus, turned against him. Florian was assassinated, bringing his reign to an abrupt end after approximately 88 days.
Although his rule was short-lived and largely overshadowed by the subsequent reign of Probus, Florian’s story illustrates the volatility of the third-century Roman Empire. His failure to solidify power underscored the challenges of governing a fractured state where military loyalty often dictated the rise and fall of emperors.
Following the trend of his predecessor, Florian struck some relatively nice coins. The obverse on this coin is remarkable for an antoninianus. The portrait is well executed with fine details in the hair and beard. The entire bust is well engraved and struck. The reverse featuring Providentia is average for the period. Intact silvering on both sides increases the coin's eye appeal.